Dave was a trustee of the college, a distinguished alumnus, and a man whose generosity of spirit, time, and talents shaped, sustained, and enlarged this college in real and profound ways. All of that is well known on our campus, in this community, and by our alumni. What is lesser known, due to Dave’s modesty, but also because of his insistence on talking about Beloit College above all else, is the depth of his generosity to the college and the breadth of his professional success.

Dave earned a B.S. in anthropology and geology magna cum laude from Beloit in 1956 before pursuing a master’s degree in geology from Northwestern, where he was the recipient of a Woodrow Wilson fellowship. So successful was he professionally that Dave held the title of President and CEO three times—at Statex Petroleum, Convest Energy Corporation, and Thri-Tec Corporation, in addition to vice president, COO, and other managerial roles with companies including J. M. Huber, Tricentrol United States, and Pan American Petroleum (Amoco).

An alumni trustee from 1981-84 and a trustee from 1984-2006, he was elected life trustee in 2006—the same year that he and wife Jane’56 were awarded a Distinguished Service Citation, the Alumni Association’s highest honor. Dave and Jane, former classmates and longtime friends who combined their families after the passing of their respective spouses, moved to Beloit in 2000 primarily to serve the college. They were among the first people I met when I arrived at Beloit, and the same can be said by many of you. Their energy, positivity, generosity, and presence has made Beloit better in every way. Even as his health failed in recent years, Dave remained a nearly constant presence, ignoring doctor’s orders to attend our campaign kickoff last fall, this spring’s Beloit Relays, and many other events.